Day Three Questions

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A Look Inside

How many times have you wondered what is inside the case? It can be intimidating to peek at the complexity of a modern device. This activity will guide you through an investigation of two electronic devices worth studying!

SAFETY ALERT

The devices we study in class operate at low voltage. Anything you plug into a wall uses 120-volts, which can kill you.

Never open a device if it is plugged in, and never open a device without qualified supervision.

• You will find two devices in your tray.
• Please study one at a time. Please open them non-destructively.
• Follow the instructions on your task cards, and record your results on the lined paper.

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Task A: Structural Analysis

Find all of the objects in the shape of a circle, rectangle, or triangle. Draw each shape in your outline-map.

Task B: Material Analysis

Find all of the materials made of metal (M) and plastic (P), and label them on your outline map. If time allows, add the label F (for Flexible) or R (for Rigid).

Task C: Design Analysis

Find and label the switches and buttons used to operate the device.

Task D: Functional Analysis

Find and label the following parts:

• the disk that spins;
• the motor that spins the disk;
• the wires that provide electricity to the motor that spins the disk;
• the part that moves from the "inner track" of the disk to the "outer track";
• The wires that carry information into/out of the disk.

Task E: Economic Analysis

Label the five objects that you think would be worth the most money to a recycler.

Task F: Troubleshooting Analysis

Identify the five-to-ten most likely ways this device could "break".

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Related Resources

• Wikipedia: Hard Disk Drive
• Form & Function Diagram
• Hard Drive Playing Music
• Floppy Drives Playing Music

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